Ventilated awning



Nov. 1, 1949 M. P, uRTz 2,486,660

VENTILATED AWNING Filed Jan. 15, 194'! 9 INVENTOR.

Name/u P K04??? Wm @M ""7 Patented Nov. 1, 1949 VENTILATED AWNING Merrill P. Kurtz,,Akron, Ohio Application January 15, 1941, Serial No. 122,095 '5 Claims. (Cl. 20-575) This invention relates to a ventilated awning which is preferably of metal construction. It comprises areas of roof surface with drains and ventilating channels between them. The drains and ventilating channels are not separate from the roof surface but are unitary portions of the elements which form the roof surface.

In a preferred form of the invention one edge of each metal element which forms the awning is shaped to form a trough, a portion of which serves as the drain and another portion of which comprises the bottom of the ventilating channel. If preferred, alternate elements may be formed with troughs along each edge, in which case the element between them will comprise no drain portion. Adjacent elements overlap, and the overlapping portion completes the ventilating channel. The ventilating channel permits air from the bottom of the awning to pass through to its upper side so that in summertime there will be no opportunity for a pocket of hot air to collect under the awning. Also, the ventilation of the awning lessens the danger of the awning being damaged in a high wind.

The awning will be further described in connection with the accompanying drawings, it being understood that the invention does not relate to end closures for the awning which will ordinarily be generally triangular in shape and cover the open triangular spaces at the ends of the awning. These ends may be formed of a single piece of metal or a plurality of pieces, as desired. They may be ventilated, but that is optional.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view in perspective of an awning which may be made of any width by decreasing or increasing to any desired number the five awning elements shown.

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a section of a modified construction;

Fig. 4 is a section through a further modification; 6

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail in section showing one form ofhventilating channel;

Fig. 6 is an exploded view of an alternative form of ventilating channel;

Fig. 7 is a front view showing one form of bottom edge formed by fabricating the lower ends of the several elements as shown in Fig. 8; and

Fig. 9 is a front view showing an alternative tion and a trough portion along one edge of the roof portion, as explained. The elements may be colored in any desired manner.

Fig. 1 shows an awning made up of several such elements 5. Each element comprises the roof portion 6, one edge portion I, a drain wall 8, a trough portion 9, and an upstanding flange II) which forms a wall of the ventilating channel which will be described below. This element 5 is formed from a flat sheet of aluminum by breaking in the usual manner. The bottom end l3 of the element 5 is bent over, preferably at an angle somewhat less than 90, and its bottom edge may be shaped as desired.

The upper end of each edge portion I and drain wall 8 is preferably notched as at I5 to accommo date the flashing l6. This flashing I6 is fastened with its back flush against the wall of the building over the window or door which is to be protected. The elements 5 are riveted at I! to the bottom flange l8 of the flashing."

The elements 5 are, likewise, riveted through the bottom of the drain at to the parallel cross supports 22 and 23. The bottom portion of the arrangement of the bottom edge which is formed of elements fabricated as shown in Fig. 10.

The ventilated awning of this invention. is formed of a plurality of elements, preferably sheet aluminum. each of which comprises a roof porawning is supported from the wall by the brace 25. There may be supports parallel with the elements at each edge of the awning braced by the support 25 and fastened to the flashing l8, but such elements are not essential. The method of supporting the elements and fastening them to the wall is not an essential feature of this invention.

As shown in Fig. 2, the left-hand element 5 has a downwardly depending flange l which runs along one edge of the awning. The element at the other edge of the awning will ordinarily have a like flange at the outside edge of the awning with no drain attached thereto (as shown in Fig. 1). Alternatively, there may be a drain at each of the outside edges which is a unitary part of the outside elements, such as the drain composed of the portions 8, 9, and l of the element 5. Thus, the number of roof portions in the awning is equal to the number of elements used in its construction, the number of ventilating channels is one less than said number, and the number of drains is either one more or one less than said number.

In the preferred awning each of the elements 5 (except the edge elements) comprises the downwardly depending flange I along one edge and a trough along the other edge. The downwardly depending flange I of one element overlaps the upwardly extending flange ill of the adjacent element to form a ventilating channel. The downwardly depending flange 1 preferably rests against channeralthough l-this-i sfnot essential theupper edge of the sense and, surface of the roofportion 6 shown in Fig. 2. I Adjoining elementstare boltedtogether by the bolts .311 which are provided with spacers 3|, the

width-oi the -desired ventilating channel. These spacers Fsparate' the downwardly H depending.

flange 'l of eachjelement from the upw 'rdly extending flange ill of the adjacent element. The number of bolts and spacers-3|. joining each of the elements will depend upon the length of the element and the manner in which the awning is assembled and supported from the wall. Other means may be employed for joining and spacing elements to form the ventilating channels.

Thus, an awning of any desired width may be assembled by uniting any desired number of the elements 5 in the manner illustrated in Fig. 2 with provision of a suitable element at each edge of the awning.

. Fig. 3 shows an alternative arrangement in which the alternate roof elements are of a different construction. Thus, the elements 40 have no drain portions; whereas the alternate elements 4| comprise drain portions 42 on each side of the roof portion. The spacers .44 shown in Fig. 3 are wider than the spacers 3| of Fig. 2 and thus illustrate that a ventilating channel of any desired Width may be provided.

Fig. 4 shows how a different effect is produced by using wider drain portions 50 with roof portions 5| of the same width as in Figs. 2 and 3. The roof portions may be colored diflerently from the drain portions, or alternate colored diflerent colors, and a dlfi'erent over-all effect will be obtained by using drain portions and roof portions of different widths. Thus, if in the arrangement shown in Fig. 2 the roof portions are white and the drain portions are red, the over-all efiect is a white awning with narrow red stripes. With the arrangement shown in Fig. 3, the elements 40 may be black and the elements 4| white. This will give an efl'ect of white bands alternating with narrower black bands. If, on the other hand, the elements 40 are white and the elements 4| are black, the reverse effect is produced. Thus, it may at times be desirable to vary the width of the drain and produce a wider drain 50 as shown in Fig. 4 even though a drain of the width shown in Fig. 2 will be entirely satisfactory for drainage purposes. If the portions 50 of the drain shown in Fig. 4 are red and the roof portions 5| are white, the effect will be quite dfierent from that obtained by coloring the roof portions 6 of Fig. 2 white and the drain portions red. Any desired coloring and spacing arrangements may be employed. i

In Fig. 2 the drain portions are shown riveted to the cross supports. Whatever riveting arrangement is employed, a watertight construction is required. Instead of riveting the drain portions to the cross supports, the roof portions may be thus riveted, and spacers may be used if desired. However, riveting asshown in Fig. 2 will ordinarily be entirely satisfactory. With the alternative construction shown in Fig. 3, the only riveting required is riveting of the drain portions 42 to the cross supports. There is no reason for riveting the elements 40 to the cross supports.

elements may be,

' the-part l3 and provided in the wall 6| of the drain 50 to the upturned flange 60 Anysuitable means for holding and mounting the ele ments may .be' employed. .They must be so wind will not damage them. I dequate ventilation protects against such id gar secure theta high Thebottom edges of the several elements are qfpreferably bent downward at It. -Two general the under constructions are possible, and these are illustrated in Figs. 7 and 9. In Fig. 7 the roof elements 6 are joined by the drain portions 9. These drain portions stop where the end portions ll of the elements 5 are bent downward. Fig. 8 shows how the end of each element is cut and bent to form this structure. The roof portion 6 is bent downwardly to form the depending portion la. The drain wall 8 may be bent to the portion 812 which adjoins the the joint between the portions 8a and 8b.

In the alternative arrangement shown in Fig. 9 the drain portions 9 between the roof portions 6 extend downwardly between the end portions l3. This construction is obtained by not severing the drain portion 9b from the drain wall 8a. This is shown clearly in Fig. 10. Thus, different effects are produced by the alternative arrangements illustrated in Figs. '7 and 9.

Suitable openings are provided in the drain channel to permit relatively free passage of air from underneath the awning to the space above the awning. If the upwardly bent flange Ill (Fig. 2) does not meet the roof portion 6 of the adjacent element I, the hot air which collects under the awning in the summertimelnay easily be vented by providing a single opening in the downwardly depending flange 1 near the flashing It. If the awning structure is such that it may otherwise be damaged by a strong wind, several such openings should be provided to give adequate provision for the passage of the wind. If the top edge of the outer wall 60 of the ventilating channel meets the flat roof portion of an adjoining element, as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, one or more ventilating openings will be required. Fig. 5

shows such openings 63 spaced at intervals along the length of the element. The edge of the depending wall 6| may be flush with the bottom prevent snow, etc., from entering and filling the ventilating channel. In that event openings, such as the openings 62, will be which do not extend to 50. The openings 63 in may extend to the edge of the flange 60 but may be spaced somewhat from it as shown in Fig. 5. The openings 62 and 63 are staggered to prevent rain beating on the bottom of the drain from splashing through the openings to the under side of the awning. The bolt 64 passes through the flanges 60 and GI and carries the spacer which separates them.

In an alternative arrangement the wall does not extend up to the roof portion 5|, and the wall 6| does not extend down to the bottom of the drain 50. In fact, it is not necessary that the flanges 60 and GI overlap. If they do not overlap, other means than the bolts and spacers shown will be provided for holding them in the desired spaced relation.

An alternative ventilating arrangement is shown in Fig. 6. Here the two elements 10 and H, of the same general construction as shown in the bottom of the drain Fig. 2, are exploded and the spacer 12 is shown must be slit or notched so that it form the portion 8a which joins openings 13 are located right at the break. They will be a little less easily visible if located a short distance below the break. In the element II the ventilating openings 14 are provided by notching.

Modifications of the speciflc structures shown are permissible within the scope of the'appended claims which deflne the invention.

What I claim is:

1. A ventilated awning which includes a sheet metal element comprising a drain portion and an upturned flange at one edge of the drain portion, and overlapping said edge of this element another sheet metal element comprising a roof portion and at the edge of the overlapping portion a downturned flange, the upper edge of said upturned flange meeting the undersurface of said roof portion and the lower edge of said down-' turned flange meeting the upper surface of said drain portion, said flanges being spaced from one another, ventilating openings in each flange spaced from the bottom thereof, the openings in the respective flanges being staggered along their length.

2. A ventilated awning which includes a sheet metal element comprising a drain portion and an upturned flange at one edge of the drain portion, and overlapping said edge of this element another sheet metal element comprising a roof portion and at the edge of the overlapping portion a downturned flange, the upper edge of said upturned flange meeting the under surface of said roof portion and the lower edge of said downturned flange meeting the upper surface of said drain portion, said flanges being spaced from one another, ventilating openings in each flange spaced from the bottom thereof, the openings in the respective flanges being staggered along their length, the opposite edges of the respective elements overlapping sheet metal elements adjacent thereto and each forming with its next adjacent element the described arrangement of roof portion, drain portion and flanges with staggered ventilated openings.

3. A ventilated awning which includes a, sheet metal element comprising a drain portion and an upturned flange at one edge of the drain portion,

Y and overlapping said edge of this element another sheet metal element comprising a roof portion and at the edge of the overlapping portion a downturned flange, the upper edge of said upturned flange meeting the under surface of said roof portion, and the lower edge of said downturned flange meeting the upper surface of said drain portion, said flanges being spaced from one another, ventilating openings in each flange spaced from the bottom thereof, the openings in the respective flanges being staggered along their length, the opposite edge of said first-described sheet metal element being formed into an upturned flange with ventilating openings therein, the space between its flanges forming a roof portion with a drain portion on each side of it, the roof portion being in a plane above the drain portions.

4. A ventilated awning which includes a sheet metal element comprising a drain portion and an upturned flange at one edge of the drain portion, and overlapping said edge of this element another'sheet metal element comprising a roof portion and at the edge of the overlapping portion a downturned flange, the upper edge of said upturned flange meeting the under surface of said roof portion and the lower edge of said down-' turned flange meeting the upper surface of said drain portion, said flanges being spaced from one another, ventilating openings in each flange spaced from the bottom thereof, the openings in the respective flangesbeing staggered along their length, said flrst-described'sheet metal element including also a roof portion in a plane above the drain portion with its opposite edge formed into a downturned flange with ventilated openings therein.

5. A ventilated awning which includes a sheet metal element comprising a drain portion and an upturned flange at one edge of the drain portion, and overlapping said edge of this element another sheet metal element comprising a roof portion and at the edge of the overlapping portion a downturned flange, the upper edge of said upturned flange meeting the under surface of said roof portion, and the lower edge of said downturned flange meeting the upper surface of said drain portion, said flanges being spaced from one another, ventilating openings in each flange spaced from the bottom thereof, the openings in the respective flanges being staggered along their length, the opposite edge of said second-described sheet metal element being formed into a downturned flange with ventilating openings therein.

EIIERRIIL P. KURTZ'.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 493,105 Morein Mar. 7, 1893 1,926,609 Bauschard Sept. 12, 1933 Re.20,975 Houseman Jan. 10, 1939 2,205,123 Metzgar et a1. June 18, 1940 2,307,272 Houseman Jan. 5, 1943 2,442,891 Harrison et a1. June 8, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 2,826 Great Britain ,i 1908 

